Good day all.
On the blog today, from my recent custom
"Whole Nine: Series Two" set, not so missing 1968 card for one of the
all-time relievers of the game, Sparky Lyle, who made his big league
debut on July 4th of 1967 with the eventual American League champion
Boston Red Sox:
Lyle appeared in 27 games for
the Red Sox that year, going 1-2 with a 2.28 ERA over 43.1 innings,
striking out 42 while walking 14.
All he would do from then on
is put in what I think is a Hall of Fame career, appearing in 899
games, all in relief, saving 238 games while posting a record of 99-76,
with an ERA of 2.88.
He took home a Cy Young Award in 1977,
helping the Yankees to their first title in 13 years, and finished in
third for A.L. MVP in 1972 after getting traded from Boston in one of
the most lopsided trades of all-time, as he saved a league-leading 35
games with a record of 9-5 and a 1.95 ERA.
One of the great
characters of the game, his many quips, antics, etc are well documented,
especially during his tenure with the "Bronx Zoo" Yankee dynasty
through the 1978 season.
Just a great icon of 1970s baseball!